Olmedo Rules: Details of the court’s decision on Scientology in Danny Masterson’s case

[Judge Charlaine Olmedo and defendant Danny Masterson]

On Monday and Tuesday, crucial pretrial matters were hammered out in Judge Charlaine Olmedo’s Los Angeles courtroom, and with defendant Danny Masterson in attendance (even though he wasn’t required to be there).

Continue reading Olmedo Rules: Details of the court’s decision on Scientology in Danny Masterson’s case

With a trial looming, here’s what it’s like to go up against Scientology’s code of silence

[Mirriam Francis in her episode of Scientology and the Aftermath]

In 2017, Mirriam Francis appeared in the premiere episode of the second season of Leah Remini’s A&E series, ‘Scientology and the Aftermath.’ She also helped us out with a couple of pieces here at the Bunker, but it has been a few years since we heard from her. Then, this week, she reached out with this terrific piece of writing, telling us she wants people to understand a little of what the victims in the Danny Masterson case must be going through, based on Mirriam’s own experiences trying to get law enforcement to take seriously abuse in the Church of Scientology. We are grateful that she has arrived to help us set up next week’s trial.

Continue reading With a trial looming, here’s what it’s like to go up against Scientology’s code of silence

Prosecution plans to call Lisa Marie Presley as witness at Danny Masterson rape trial

This week, the two sides in the upcoming Danny Masterson rape trial have been arguing over what evidence would be allowed, and which witnesses would be called. Yesterday, Judge Charlaine Olmedo issued some rulings in the case, denying a delay that Masterson had asked for, but also denying an expert witness for the prosecution.

Continue reading Prosecution plans to call Lisa Marie Presley as witness at Danny Masterson rape trial

Prosecution plans to call 1996 victim in Danny Masterson trial

At a courtroom in Los Angeles yesterday, the two sides preparing for Danny Masterson’s rape trial that is scheduled to begin next week spent the day fighting over what evidence will be allowed in.

Continue reading Prosecution plans to call 1996 victim in Danny Masterson trial

Scientology eagerly uses Hurricane Ian devastation for photo opportunities

Well, you knew this was coming. Scientology loves to turn natural disasters into public relations opportunities, and so with a major hurricane hitting just south of its spiritual mecca, the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida, there was no question that it would be pouncing on the chance.

Continue reading Scientology eagerly uses Hurricane Ian devastation for photo opportunities

Clearwater CEO Joy Gendusa recorded sychophantic video for Scientology’s leader

What a week it’s been for PostcardMania CEO Joy Gendusa.

On Tuesday, with Hurricane Ian barreling toward Florida’s west coast, labor journalist Jonah Furman published statements by Gendusa that the Clearwater mail-order business would work through the storm, and that she expected employees not only to be at their desks but also to bring their kids and pets to the building if they worried about being swept away.

Continue reading Clearwater CEO Joy Gendusa recorded sychophantic video for Scientology’s leader

PODCAST: Jon Atack has some things to say about Mike Rinder’s new book on Scientology

The big news this week of course is that former Scientology spokesman and Leah Remini’s costar Mike Rinder has released his really terrific book about his experience in the church, A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.

Continue reading PODCAST: Jon Atack has some things to say about Mike Rinder’s new book on Scientology

Dr. Eric Berg gaming YouTube? Ian Rafalko with more revelations about his Scientologist dad

It was great to hear from Ian Rafalko again this week. If you remember, we were first blown away by his viral announcement on TikTok, explaining that he was the son of Dr. Eric Berg, the YouTube phenom with 8 million subscribers who dispenses a lot of diet advice.

Continue reading Dr. Eric Berg gaming YouTube? Ian Rafalko with more revelations about his Scientologist dad

Double storms hit Scientology: Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Mike Rinder

With all of their purported super powers, the OTs of Scientology were unable to fend off a double-bullseye yesterday as the church was rocked by two very different kinds of storms.

Continue reading Double storms hit Scientology: Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Mike Rinder

Mike Rinder’s ‘A Billion Years’: A gripping takedown of Scientology and its leader

There are many books about Scientology now, including some put out by major publishers. If you wanted a robust history of where Scientology has been over many decades, you could turn to Lawrence Wright’s Going Clear, or the earlier, deeply researched investigations by Russell Miller (Bare-Faced Messiah) or Jon Atack (A Piece of Blue Sky).

Continue reading Mike Rinder’s ‘A Billion Years’: A gripping takedown of Scientology and its leader

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